VonVan

Is it a bad idea to plan on taking the train (in my case, from London to Manchester) on the Saturday before a UK bank holiday? Thank you.

MmePerdu

Not a bad idea at all if you buy your ticket and reserve your seat in advance.

http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/

Buying Advance tickets and reserving seats:

http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/times_...pes/44703.aspx

janisj

Do realize that track works are often scheduled on weekends - but it usually announced well in advance.

Usually they will know by or not long after the booking period opens, so as long as you read any warnings/announcements re substitute service -- sure.

VonVan

Ladies, Thank you both for your help - train links plus possibility of scheduled work. Very helpful-

PalenQ

Yup trains may be slower due to necessary track work carried out on such weekends because so few are traveling.

Be sure to buy your tickets early at sites Mme Perdu mentions. First class tickets are also discounted and at times may not cost much more than Standard (2nd) class and IME on long-distance trains there is a world of difference. On such weekends it is not unusual for there to be a really cheap first class upgrade of a few pounds as business types who use first class are not there and those seats go empty.

janisj

>>Yup trains may be slower << . . . Slower wouldn't bother me -- it is the not running at all (w or w/o a coach substitute) I'd worry about.

PalenQ

I do not think there would be no trains running at all on London to Manchester- they may be diverted but on such a main line they should run- would not worry about that but check www.nationalrail.co.uk or the exact train line's web site for updates.

janisj

The National Rail website lists all sorts of replacement bus service on parts of main line routes during rail improvements . . .

Alec

It's unlikely that Network Rail will schedule line closure over a Bank Holiday weekend (except over Christmas).

PalenQ

Especially a main line like to Manchester - bus substitutions would be so so hard to do - you'd need a zillion buses- work on main lines like that may cause one of the two rail lines to close - diverting trains to the other one - which of course slows two-way traffic - or trains are diverted but bus substitutions on such a line- I think not - janis thinks the opposite and I am not sure and neither is she I think- I would not worry about getting between London and Manchester by train on Bank Holidays - Christmas Day and Boxing Day yes as few trains run at all anyway I think.